Posts published in Opinion

A special report entitled “Security in the Eastern Baltic” by the Russian Association of Baltic Studies (RABS) was presented on Tuesday. Let’s see what it is about. The main objective of the report is to identify the causes of the problems in the field of regional security of the Baltic Sea Region. The second task is to analyze the buildup of the armed forces of the United States and other…

Migration remains a politically toxic topic in the European Union in recent years. Euronews spoke with outgoing EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos who warns that “Europe should never become a fortress”. “The very first time this term was used was in the year 1933 by Hitler. We don’t want this kind of Europe, but at the same time, we have to protect our borders.” But the division between EU countries…

This month European media widely covered social situation in Lithuania. Statistics and reports made by the authoritative international organizations and research institutes give scary picture of life in the country. DAILY MAIL reports that one of the devastating things is a high level of death rate: 14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) in Lithuania. The causes of high mortality are the consequences of unresolved social problems and low standard of living.…

Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Lithuania to check out the startup scene there. I’d never been to Lithuania before, but the country has long been on my radar. Part of the reason for this is the many initiatives the country is putting forward to help develop their technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a special emphasis on fintech. These actions have been garnering…

Throughout history, the Baltic Sea has been home to great naval fleets. Naval strength is vital to achieving maritime security, which is an essential component for stability in a region and a thriving economy. Indeed, the Baltic Sea remains a critical artery of commerce, with up to 15 percent of the world’s cargo traffic transiting the region. Throughout history, the Baltic Sea has been home to great naval fleets. Naval…

The coroner’s sense of futility was clear, as he investigated the death of yet another Australian killed by prescription opioids. Coroners nationwide have long urged officials to address Australia’s ballooning opioid addiction, and to create a tracking system to stop people from collecting multiple prescriptions from multiple doctors. Yet even as thousands died, the coroners’ pleas were met largely with silence. “For what it is worth, I add my voice…

A day after the German blitzkrieg into the Soviet Union in June 1941, more than 200 Nazi tanks were powering through Lithuania on a race northward to Leningrad. The Luftwaffe knocked out the Soviets’ nearby air bases, leaving counter-attacking armored columns easy prey for German bombers. Desperate to staunch the bleeding, on June 23 the Red Army sprang its KV-1 and KV-2 tanks — which at the time packed some of the…

In 1991 the Baltic States gained independence. They started to develop their new way. This choice was highly appreciated by the residents of the Baltic countries, as well as by people all over the world. People craved independence then, and they still crave it now. They understand independence as “freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.” Today some political decisions reduce the significance of achieved…

Director of the National Defense Investments Center Kusti Salm explains why defense forces vehicles cannot use fuels with bio-additives and talks about the future of arms and wind farms disputes. Figurately speaking, every Estonian citizen gives you 180 euros a year for a total of €230 million to spend on national defense. How does that responsibility feel? It is larger than life. The goal is to have every cent bring…

The U.S. Air Force has announced on Tuesday deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft to Europe. According to a statement released by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, a Bomber Task Force deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft, Airmen and support equipment from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, have arrived in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility for a…